When a band issues a sophomore album over 30 years after their debut, some may be skeptical. In the case of MADAM X and their new release Monstrocity, those skeptics will be more than pleasantly surprised, they will be rocked.

From the post apocalyptic album art by Llexi Leon of IRON MAIDEN fame, to the thunderous opening fills on title track “Monstrocity”, all the way through the re-recorded version of the ever popular “High In High School” MADAM X proves that not only is heavy metal not dead - it’s thriving.

Maxine, Roxy, Bret, and Chris have managed to bring back retro, old school metal, without feeling dated or old. Monstrosity is an in-your-face assault, with a JUDAS PRIEST feel and solid production.

Stand out track “Nitrous” houses a crunching breakdown, while “Freak Parade” sounds exactly like its title, with a little black circus vibe thrown in, and the anthemic “Die Tryin’” gives the masses a striking battle cry with the line “My veins run metal, my heart is made of steel.” Can we get that on a t-shirt please?!

This album runs strong through its entirety. Whereas some will start out strong and fizzle by the end, the opposite holds true with Monstrosity. Track 10, “Good Stuff”, and 11, “Wish You Away”, are two of the best on the album. In fact, “Wish You Away” is a genuine rock ballad. When is the last time a rock band did this and why did it ever go away? Embrace it, don’t shame it. A well executed rock ballad is what dreams are made of.

Here’s hoping that this song, and this entire album for that matter, will be a catalyst for the rock community to get back to the heart of it all, to make not just America, but the World, rock again. There’s no better place to start a resurgence of rock revolution than Detroit and no better band to bring it back than MADAM X.